Changes in Radical Scavenging Activity of Japanese Cabernet Sauvignon Red Wines during Ageing

We investigated the relationship between the concentration of phenols in Cabernet Sauvignon red wines produced over 21 years from 1987 to 1998 and their radical scavenging activities [RSA]. The correlation between the concentrations of total phenols, or between those of either of the phenolic fractions and RSA was close. In contrast, the correlation between RSA and non-flavonoid phenols was poor. Total and flavonoid phenol concentrations and the total RSA of wines decreased during a period of about 10 years of storage, but their relative RSA (RSA mg -1 total phenols or flavonoids) gradually increased.